94.1 The Lounge (CJOC-FM) is Lethbridge’s newest radio station slated to launch in late June. We are pleased to announce that our morning show will be hosted by Mark Campbell with News and Information anchored by Veryl Todd.

“We’re ecstatic to have been able to secure two legendary Lethbridge radio performers for our morning show” says Paul Larsen, Owner and General Manager of The Lounge. “Mark and Veryl were both our number one choices to host the breakfast show and to be able to launch the Lounge with them both is a real coup”. The show will be known as “Mark Campbell in the Morning” and will air weekdays from 6:00 to 9:00.

Mark Campbell notes “It's going to be great getting back into radio after being away for close to 15 years because I still have some left over Brian Mulroney jokes. I've always loved the spontaneity and unpredictability of live radio and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with Veryl Todd again. The fact that our call letters will be CJOC brings back what I think is a real historical significance to the city”.

Veryl Todd added “Getting this incredible opportunity to get behind the mic again, to do what I have always loved best, is out of sight! In many ways it's as exciting as the day I first got into the business in November, 1960 right here in Lethbridge. I love radio. What can be better”?

More programming announcements for The Lounge will be forthcoming over the next few weeks. 94.1 The Lounge is expected to start testing its signal by the end of May with an official launch date toward the third week of June.

http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=69253&issue=05222007

Best wishes to Mark and Veryl....a couple of great radio guys....and congrats to Paul and his gang for going into Lethbridge with a great plan.  Those CJOC call letters mean a lot to the city of Lethbridge and it's good to see them back in use.  It's a great radio market, and always has been.

http://www.loungeradio.ca

CJOC Lethbridge, Alberta - History

Jock Palmer founded CJOC in 1926 with a 50 watt transmitter on 1,000 Kcs. The "JOC"in the call letters were taken from his name "Jock". Programming consisted of one or two hours a day. Mr. Pamlers associates were W. W. Grant, a Calgary engineer. and H. R. Carson, a local garage and tire dealer who was interested in selling and servicing batteries.

In 1928, Harold Carson bought out his partners and took over CJOC, the studios were then located in the Marquis Hotel. Having increased its power to 100 watts in 1928, the station increased the programming to 4 1/2 hours daily. In 1933, the studios in the Marquis Hotel were completely rebuilt. The station broadcast its first live hockey game fromVegrevlle with Henry Viney doing the play by play.

In 1935, CJOC fed a live remote broadcast to the CBC Network from Waterton Lakes National Park featuring "Mart Kenney and his Western Gentlemen", with Bob Buss doing the announcing.

In 1936, CJOC inaugurated the "Radio School of the Air", one of the first school radio broadcasts in Canada. Miss Agnes Davidson conducted drama programs and weekly sing-song sessions. The School Boards of southern Alberta co-operated by encouraging teachers and parents to loan radios to the schools.

Power increases took place in 1942 to 1,000 watts, and in 1947 to 5,000 watts. In 1949, the studios were moved to a brand new building on 3rd Avenue South. In 1954, power was again increased, to 10,000 watts daytime. In 1964, a new 450 foot tower replaced the old 150 tower which was sold for salvage.

On May 1st , 1967 Southern Alberta was paralyzed by a 3-day snow storm, and CJOC stayed on the air for 72 hours as the only means of communication in the area as power and phone lines were down in many areas. Messages were sent out to help the residents of the area and to the outside world for help and advice on how to survive the storm. CJOC received many accolades for a great community effort, including the Canadian Association of Broadcasters "Station of the Year" award.

In 1972, CJOC established satellite station CJPR and extended it's service into the Crowsnest Pass area of Alberta where no consistent Canadian radio service was available due to the terrain. CJPR originated five hours of local service daily, with the rest of the schedule filled in by CJOC.

Another "Great Storm" almost duplicated that of 1967, when in March of 1977, CJOC again canceled all commercials and regular programming to aid the area residents.

1979 saw the start of CILA-FM. Lethbridge Broadcasting Ltd. The owner of CJOC had purchased local CHEC-FM, and a few months later increased its power from 32,000 watts to 100,000 watts in order to serve all of southern Alberta.

In 1982, CJPRs' local programming was increased from 56 to 62 hours weekly. CJEV Elkford, B.C., another satellite station in the mountains, went on the air, providing service in an area with inadequate signals.

There have been thirteen managers of CJOC over the 70 years operation of this station. All but Jock Palmer, the original owner have had wide experience in the ACMO/Selkirk organization who owned and operated the station for 65 of those years.

Source: Brent Seely, Manager

I worked in the building for a few years and it was a great experience! As far as CJOC goes, my father was a guest from time to time and I have very fond memories of George Brown, Mark Campbell, David Larsen, Brent Seely and lots of others.

I grew up listening to "Musical Memories" with George.

Will Paul Larsen run the radio station?
From what I hear, he is moving back to Nanaimo to live there.

Talked to him on Friday.  He just bought a house in Lethbridge and is moving in June.  He said he still has a house on the Island, but is living in Lethbridge and keeping the Island house as an investment.  His business card is local and says "President and General Manager".

Solid Gold:

Who said no money to be in radio.

Two houses WITH a bran new radio station in the driveway.

RM - Show me the money !

No money WORKING in radio.  Plenty of money to be made as an Owner.

Or is Pattison behind Larsen?  Hmmmm

Quoted from TakeitOn

Or is Pattison behind Larsen?  Hmmmm

Backer is.

Norscot Holdings Ltd., Which owns companies in the media, land development and construction businesses controlled by Mary McKinnon Mills.

Hugh WAS Senior Vice President of Telemedia Commutations Inc. Hugh was the Chief Executive Officer of Okanagan Skeena Group Ltd.

I worked at OKS when Nornet took us over.  Hugh was President.  Mary McKinnon Mills is his sister, not his wife.  They were half owners at Island Radio where Larsen was too before selling it all to Pattison.

Mckinnon used to own Fort St. John too.
Knew someone was behind Larsen.
McKinnons are good folks.

FYI,

Pattison and Rogers are Larsen's competitors in Lethbridge....should be an interesting battle.

Congrats to Clear Sky as well for getting the Hurricanes broadcasts.  The 'Canes back on CJOC...like a blast from the past lol.


CJOC-FM Secures Broadcast Rights for WHL


Clear Sky Radio Inc. is pleased to announce that is has secured the broadcast rights to the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League for its Lethbridge radio station 94.1 The Lounge (CJOC-FM).

“We are thrilled that we have been able to put together this important community partnership” says Paul Larsen, President of Clear Sky Radio. “Securing the Hurricanes for The Lounge is another critical step toward our goal of being the most community involved radio station in Lethbridge. The Hurricanes are a huge booster of Lethbridge and we share very similar philosophies when it comes to our commitment to this city. We are looking forward to a very rewarding partnership over the coming years.”

94.1 The Lounge will broadcast all 72 home and away games, plus any playoff games. In addition, The Lounge will be launching a number of new hockey programming elements including a daily “Hurricanes Report” airing in breakfast and afternoon drive, weekly “Player Profiles” and a weekly 1-hour “Hurricanes Hockey Call-In Show” airing Monday evenings from 7-8pm.

“We are very excited to have the Hurricanes return home to the CJOC call letters”, comments Hurricanes Director of Business Operations, Doug Campbell. “The new broadcast initiatives will provide Hurricanes fans with increased programming exposure and interaction with their favourite Western Hockey League team”.

With the Hurricanes broadcast moving to The Lounge, we will be holding auditions for the play-by-play position and hope to announce our broadcast crew by early July.

courtesy of Broadcastermagazine.com